what about
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Pronunciation
Audio (Mid-Atlantic US): (file)
Adverb
what about (not comparable)
- Used to make a suggestion.
- What about going to a restaurant tonight?
- Used to ask someone to consider something or someone that they have apparently not considered.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 15, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
- ‘No,’ said Luke, grinning at her. ‘You're not dull enough! […] What about the kid's clothes? I don't suppose they were anything to write home about, but didn't you keep anything? A bootee or a bit of embroidery or anything at all?’
- You're obviously having a good time, but what about me?
- To repeat a question but referring to a different subject or object.
- A: Is John coming tomorrow? B: Yes A: What about David?
- A: Do you like football? B: No A: What about basketball?
- To inquire about the purpose of someone introducing a subject to the speaker.
- A: Do you remember John Smith from work? B: Yeah, what about him? A: Oh, nothing. I just ran into him today.
- To express approval of an occurrence or a result.
- What about the second goal!
Synonyms
- (making a suggestion): how about, how's about
- (asking for consideration): what of, how about
Derived terms
Translations
used to make a suggestion
|
used to ask someone to consider something or someone that they have apparently not considered
|
used to repeat a question
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